The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times
AD
The Epoch Times
Support Us
SHARE
USUS News

DC National Guard Approves Deployment of 250 Troops Ahead of Verdict in Chauvin Trial

Copy
Facebook
X
Truth
Gettr
LinkedIn
Telegram
Email
Save
DC National Guard Approves Deployment of 250 Troops Ahead of Verdict in Chauvin Trial
A member of the National Guard stands outside the Library of Congress in Washington on April 17, 2021. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images
Isabel van Brugen
By Isabel van Brugen
4/19/2021Updated: 4/20/2021

The D.C. National Guard on Monday approved the deployment of 250 troops requested by the city ahead of the verdict in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who faces second-degree murder and other charges in the May 2020 death of George Floyd.

City officials initially, however, had requested as many as 1,000 troops ahead of the verdict, as city leaders anticipated potential civil unrest, The Associated Press reported.

The death of Floyd, an African American man who died in Minneapolis police custody, sparked peaceful protests as well as riots, arson incidents, vandalism, and looting nationwide last summer, leading to tens of millions of dollars in property damage.

A police officer stands amid smoke and debris as buildings continue to burn in the aftermath of a night of protests and violence following the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 29, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)
A police officer stands amid smoke and debris as buildings continue to burn in the aftermath of a night of protests and violence following the death of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, Minn., on May 29, 2020. Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times
Several Black Lives Matter supporters have suggested that if Chauvin isn’t found guilty, there will be further riots and violence.

The D.C. National Guard confirmed on Monday that acting Army Secretary John Whitley approved the deployment of 250 troops after days of debate and discussion.

In an April 8 request signed by Christopher Rodriguez, director of the city’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, the city asked the D.C. Guard’s commander, Maj. Gen. William Walker for six teams to monitor Metro stops, Guard members to staff 30 traffic checkpoints, and a quick reaction force “of at least 300 guardsmen to be staged at the D.C. Armory with the ability to respond within thirty (30) minutes to a request for assistance.”

Calling the request “precautionary,” Rodriguez noted the potential for “First Amendment demonstrations to occur in the District of Columbia in response to the verdict.”

“These demonstrations are congruent with the demonstrations that occurred during 2020, where the District saw a large influx of participants and general disorder and criminal activity,” he said.

He asked that the troops be ready to assist local law enforcement beginning Monday.

The D.C. National Guard said in a statement that troops are approved to assist law enforcement until May 9.

Other areas also activated troops, including Illinois.

According to The Associated Press, the request for as many as 1,000 troops has been met with frustration from Defense and Guard officials who believe the city is relying too heavily on National Guard troops and should instead be seeking support from federal law enforcement agencies in the region.

Some 26,000 National Guard troops were deployed in the nation’s capital for the inauguration of President Joe Biden on Jan. 20 in the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol breach.

In March, Gen. Dan Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, expressed concerns about the ongoing D.C. deployment requests.

Hokanson said in a memo that “the continued indefinite nature of this requirement may also impede our ability to man future missions as both adjutants general and guardsmen alike may be skeptical about committing to similar endeavors.”

It would be preferable, he said, if D.C. pursued other “law enforcement” options. Guard members have to take time off their regular jobs when called to serve.

Separately, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has deployed 125 National Guard troops to Chicago ahead of Chauvin’s verdict, which is expected to be reached in the coming days.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Isabel van Brugen
Isabel van Brugen
Reporter
Isabel van Brugen is an award-winning journalist. She holds a master's in newspaper journalism from City, University of London.
twitter
Author’s Selected Articles

US Has ‘Credible’ Information Russia Executed Ukrainians Trying to Surrender in Donetsk

Apr 28, 2022
US Has ‘Credible’ Information Russia Executed Ukrainians Trying to Surrender in Donetsk

Moldova Explosions Raise Fears Separatist Region Could be Drawn into Ukraine War

Apr 28, 2022
Moldova Explosions Raise Fears Separatist Region Could be Drawn into Ukraine War

US Marshal-Led Operation Sees Over 700 Arrested in Mississippi

Apr 28, 2022
US Marshal-Led Operation Sees Over 700 Arrested in Mississippi

CDC, FDA Workers Observed Incidents of Political Interference: Report

Apr 28, 2022
CDC, FDA Workers Observed Incidents of Political Interference: Report
Related Topics
National Guard
George Floyd
Derek Chauvin
Save
The Epoch Times
Copyright © 2000 - 2025 The Epoch Times Association Inc. All Rights Reserved.